Zunheboto, November 12, 2024: The eagerly awaited Ahuna Festival 2024 began on November 12 at the Public Ground in Zunheboto, as the Sümi Hoho, along with various supporting organizations, launched a three-day celebration of tradition, unity, and community spirit.
The festival’s first day featured the “Sümi Kükümügha Hoho” (Sümi Blessing Service), gathering hundreds of participants who came to receive blessings and partake in this sacred Sümi tradition.
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A. Pitoho Chophy, Member of the Nagaland Public Service Commission, was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony. Warmly welcomed and honored by the Sümi Hoho for his recent appointment, Chophy addressed the crowd, encouraging the community to be agents of positive change. He emphasized the importance of fostering progress while staying rooted in the values and traditions that define the Sümi identity. Chophy also reminded the gathering to keep pace with the rapidly changing world, highlighting that growth and adaptability are crucial to the community’s future.
Dr. Vihuto Asumi, President of the Sümi Hoho, delivered a powerful keynote address, stressing the significance of preserving cultural heritage while adapting to modern times. He spoke about embracing the blessings of Ahuna as a season of gratitude, unity, and forward momentum for the Sümi people.
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Earlier in the program, Dr. Hutton Sümi, Pastor of the Sümi Baptist Church Zunheboto, led a prayer of blessings, invoking divine guidance for the Sümi community. This was followed by a message from the Pastor of the Zunheboto Town Sümi Baptist Church, who encouraged the community to uphold faith, resilience, and harmony. The program commenced with an invocation by Ghunato Assumi, Associate Pastor of the Sümi Baptist Church Zunheboto, and concluded with a benediction by Aketo Yepthomi, Youth Leader of the Zunheboto Town Sümi Baptist Church.
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Following the formal program, the festival continued with a lively Ahuna night carnival, inaugurated by Zunheboto Town Council Chairperson Herato Sukhalu. The carnival set a joyous tone for the days ahead, featuring cultural performances, stalls showcasing traditional crafts, and local delicacies, creating a memorable start to this year’s Ahuna celebrations.
The Ahuna Festival will continue on November 13 and 14, with a series of events aimed at celebrating Sümi heritage and fostering unity within the community, as per a press release issued by the Sümi Hoho.
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